LaLee's Kin: The Legacy of Cotton has two storylines, both of which show the impoverished life of residents in the American South. The documentary draws the connection — a vicious cycle — between poverty and the lack of education opportunity for black people living in the Mississippi Delta, over 150 years after the abolition of slavery.

Laura Lee (LaLee) Wallace, a great-granddaughter of a slave, is an illiterate 62-year-old woman who has been living all her life in Tallahatchie County, one of the poorest in the United States. She has one surviving son, nine daughters, 38 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren. Her daily living consists of many difficulties: LaLee has to raise many of her grandchildren, her son is continually put in prison, and most of her daughters have to leave Tallahatchie County searching for work. LaLee's life is heavily dependent on the cotton industry; she struggles to earn a living by cooking lunches for people working in local cotton factories.

Reggie Barnes is the superintendent of the West Tallahatchie school system, which is put on probation by the state due to poor standardized test results. The school has the hardship of trying to educate the children of illiterate parents. If it fails to raise the annual standardized test scores, the school will be taken over by the state.

I have been waiting YEARS for this movie to become available! I am an educator who has been waiting to show this DVD to students in teacher education programs. Why it took so long? I'm not sure, but ALL teacher educators, in service and pre-service teachers must see this video in an effort to dispel some of the attitudes, beliefs and stereotypes about teaching children who are culturally, linguistically and ability diverse.

I have been waiting for this to come to dvd. I wondered why it took almost 10 years for this to happen. I wish HBO would have done an updated documentary on Lalee because I think the viewers would love to know how she and her family are doing.

I bought it and still watches this documentary at least once a month. I Love it.I keeps me well grounded, It is an enriching soul in Ms. Lalee. I even bought it for my mom. and ask every person I know has they seen it but I don't loan my dvd out to NOBODY.I often wonder what ever happened to her and redman(smile) a lalee #2 needs to come out. Is she still alive?

Finally this has been put on DVD. The wait is over. This is a must see documentary that will change you forever. Kudos to this brave, strong woman for her determination and strong love to raise her grandkids. I saw this film about 9 years ago and never forgot it. It touched me in such a way, that I knew I had to do something, so I organized a fundraiser with co-workers to purchase supplies to send to Ms Lalee, her grandkids and other kids of this county to help with school. I often think about her, and tried to find out how she is doing now, but have yet to find out anything. If anybody has any current about her and this town, please post it here.

Two thumbs up to HBO for bringing this story to the forefront and finally releasing it on DVD!

This is a film that should be watched with family, friends, children and would make a great gift.